THE CELTIC CLASICO, the Ray Houghton Derby, Scotland-v-Ireland, whatever you want to call it we’ll all be tuned into Darragh Maloney and the lads this evening, but what other football is on the telly over the next five days, you might ask.
Luckily we’ve come up with the seven best games to watch on the box over the next five days. Isn’t that handy?
1. Georgia v Poland
Where is it on? The Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena, Tbilisi.
What time is kick-off? 5pm, Friday 14 November.
Why should I watch it? For obvious reasons this is a game that will attract a lot of attention from Irish fans. We’re currently joint top of the group with the Poles meaning that, were Georgia to get a result this evening, we could go top on our own if we beat Scotland.
Georgia sit second bottom of the group on three points and lost their only home game so far to The Boys in Green. With the game kicking off at 5pm in Tbilisi three points for Poland could heap some pressure on Ireland as a win would be needed at Celtic Park to stay in touch.
Where can I watch it? Sky Sports 5.
If I fancy a flutter what are the odds? Georgia 7/2, Draw 12/5, Poland 5/6.
2. Romania v Northern Ireland
Where is it on? Arena Nationala, Bucharest.
What time is kick-off? 7.45pm, Friday 14 November.
Why should I watch it? Northern Ireland have made a very impressive start to their campaign, winning their first three games for the first time. This evening they come up against Group F’s second placed team in Romania.
On paper this wouldn’t be the North’s toughest challenge given Greece are the top seeds in the group. However, the Greeks are floundering at the foot of the table just one point ahead of the Faroe Islands after Michael O’Neill’s side easily dispatched them in Athens in the last round of fixtures.
Romania go into the game under their new coach Anghel Iordanescu. The former senator is beginning his third spell in charge of the Tricolorii and has vowed to play attacking football, using a 4-2-3-1 system. This sounds like it should be an entertaining encounter.
Where can I watch it? Sky Sports 2.
If I fancy a flutter what are the odds? Romania 3/5, Draw 27/10, Northern Ireland 11/2.
3. Switzerland v Lithuania
Where is it on? AFG Arena, St. Gallen
What time is kick-off? 7.45pm, Saturday 15 November.
Why should I watch it? With a population of just under three million Lithuania isn’t too dissimilar to Ireland but they have made an excellent start to their qualifying campaign, sitting in third place three points behind England and only behind Slovenia on goal difference.
The Swiss sit 12th in the FIFA World Rankings, a full 80 places ahead of Lithuania yet they are three points behind them in Group E. With Slovenia facing England at Wembley a win for either side could see them jump into second place.
Where can I watch it? Sky Sports Red Button.
If I fancy a flutter what are the odds? Switzerland 2/9, Draw 5/1, Lithuiania 12/1.
4. Czech Republic v Iceland
Where is it on? Doosan Arena, Plzen.
What time is kick-off? 7.45pm, Sunday 16 November.
Why should I watch it? Both of these teams have made 100% starts to their campaigns, leaving The Netherlands in their wake. With the Dutch playing Latvia at the same time both of these sides could potentially be seven points ahead of the World Cup semi-finalists at the end of the night.
The two teams have already beaten Guus Hiddink’s men and have been free-scoring, netting eight goals each so far with Iceland yet to concede at all. This is a very tough game to call but should no doubt be exciting.
Where can I watch it? Sky Sports 5.
If I fancy a flutter what are the odds? Czech Republic 4/5, Draw 5/2, Iceland 7/2.
5. Italy v Croatia
Where is it on? Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan.
What time is kick-off? 7.45pm, Sunday 16 November.
Why should I watch it? The Adriatic Derby as it could probably be known is another top of the group clash and another game in which both teams have made perfect starts. Croatia have yet to concede a goal and have scored nine in their three games so far, trouncing Azerbaijan 6-0 in their last game.
Italy, on the other hand, having been very Italian-like in their first three games, edging out Norway, Azerbaijan and Malta. A loss for either side will most likely see them caught by Norway who play away to whipping-boys Azerbaijan.
Where can I watch it? ITV 4.
If I fancy a flutter what are the odds? Italy 11/10, Draw 11/5, Croatia 27/10.
6. Scotland v England
Where is it on? Celtic Park, Glasgow.
What time is kick-off? 8pm, Tuesday 18 November.
Why should I watch it? This is England’s last match of 2014 and a return meeting of the auld enemies after England won out 3-2 at Wembley in August 2013. It is also the first time that England have played in Scotland since 1999 when Kevin Keegan’s side ran out 2-0 winners in the first leg of their Euro 2000 playoff thanks to two goals from Paul Scholes.
The atmosphere at this one is sure to be something special and expect a passionate version of Flower of Scotland from the home fans. With both sides playing qualifiers this weekend it will most likely be used as an opportunity for Gordon Strachan and Roy Hodgson to field some of the more inexperienced players in their squads.
Apart from August 2013 this is the first friendly between the two teams since 1989 after non-competitive matches between the neighbours had to be abandoned. This will certainly be a fiery clash.
Where can I watch it? ITV 1, Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports 5.
If I fancy a flutter what are the odds? Scotland 11/4, Draw 12/5, England 10/11.
